Abstract: A line ascender for enabling a person to ascend a line including a receiver which tapers laterally to the line to receive the line laterally and a clamp provided for clamping the received line responsive to weight of the person. Advantageously, an errant rope can be readily received within the tapered receiver for re-engagement by the clamp.

Abstract: A rigging system (1) for a sailboat comprising: a mast (3) that extends substantially vertical from a hull; a boom (5) that extends substantially horizontal from the mast (3); a vang tube (7) extending between the mast and the boom to resist relative force and/or moment of the boom (5) towards the mast (3), wherein the vang tube (7) is substantially arcuate and a convex side of the actuate vang tube (7) faces an intersection (9) of the boom (5) and the mast (3) and wherein the vang tube (7) is located above the boom (5).

Abstract: A slider shoe fitting for a gnav assembly (8) for exerting a downward force on a boom (5). The slider shoe fitting comprises a boom slider (10) for sliding along an upper portion of a surface of a boom, and a strut portion for forming at least part of a strut of the gnav assembly (8). The boom slider (10) comprises a body portion (11) and a plurality of upstanding portions (15). The body portion (11) and upstanding portions (15) are of a single piece of material. The strut portion is pivotally mounted to the plurality of upstanding portions (15).

Abstract: A sail-powered vehicle having a mobile base including at least one mast to which at least one sail support is connected including an upper end fastened at a top point of the mast and a lower end fastened near the mobile base, where the lower end of the sail support is towards the outside of the longitudinal median axis of the vehicle, and towards the bottom.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein is a universally adaptable, collapsible, adjustable boom designed for selective attachment and detachment to any configuration of a boat tower, and which provides multiple support points to counteract the downward force exerted by a water sport participant. Attachment and detachment of the boom is efficiently accomplished with the use of adjustable clamps and lynch pins, and the boom further secured by a cabling system.

Abstract: A spar for a sailing vessel comprises an elongated member which projects upwardly at an oblique angle from the centerline of the vessel deck and defines a longitudinal axis of rotation. The elongated member has a longitudinal slot for mounting the jib. The elongated member has a longitudinally extending aerodynamic surface defined by a quasi-elliptical shape with identical starboard tack and port tack leading edges symmetric about a plane through the rotational axis and the slot.

Abstract: A position sensor is arranged to detect the position of a mechanical interaction, such as the application of manual pressure. A first fabric layer has electrically conductive fibers machined therein to provide a first conductive outer layer allowing conduction in all directions along the layer. A second fabric layer has electrically conductive fibers machined therein to provide a second conductive outer layer allowing conduction in all directions along the layer. A central layer is disposed between the first outer layer and the second outer layer. The central layer includes conductive elements. A first insulating separating element is disposed between the first conductive outer layer and the conducting elements. A second insulating separating element is disposed between the second conductive outer layer and the conducting elements. The conducting elements provide a conductive path between the first conducting outer layer and the second conducting outer layer at the position of a mechanical interaction.

Abstract: A sail boat boom control system provides braking forces for restraining movement of the boom during down wind sailing or sailing with a quartering breeze. The system comprises a boom restrainer loop attached to the boom and resiliently tensioned, pivotally mounted friction device which is adjustable to apply friction forces restraining movement of the boom loop, thereby providing the braking force on the boom. The friction device is adjustably controlled by a control line extending to a position where it is easily operated by the helmsman or other crew. A quick-release device releases the control line when required to allow the friction device to move to a position in which the boom is free from restraint. Deck-mounted and mast-mounted friction control devices are disclosed.

Abstract: A boom support for supporting a sailboat boom on all sailing angles. The boom support, which is pivotally attached to the lower portion of the mast below the boom, includes two resiliently flexible rods extending from the mast attachment upwardly and outwardly to the boom. A flexible strip of webbing between the two rods counteracts the boom weight and is held in place by a line attached to the gooseneck. The boom is free to lift clear of the boom support.

Abstract: A vang for producing a desired tension in the mainsail of a yacht employs, in association with a multi-sheave block and tackle system conferring mechanical advantage, a valve releasable, variable length, pressurized gas spring strut. Operation against a spring pre-load of the control valve of the strut by application of a force thereon, being a force derived by the block and tackle system from manual exertion on said block and tackle system, enables the gas spring strut to be released from the length at which it is currently held locked, by reason of closure of the control valve, for such extension or contraction as may be required to produce a desired force on the main-boom and a consequent tension in the leech of the mainsail. The length of the gas spring strut remains unaffected by closure of the valve following removal of the force on the block and tackle system.

Abstract: A sail boom clamp has two opposing jaws (22) and (23) which fit around a mast (2) in use to hold a sail boom in position. The effective separation of the jaws (22) and (23) can be altered by cooperation between a foot 40 on an underside of the jaw (23) and steps in an arcuate wedge (41). The wedge is moved to present different of the steps to the press against the foot (40) in use to hold the jaw in different positions relative to a body (20). The jaws are closed and held closed by an over-center clamping arrangement consisting of a handle (26) and a wire loop (24).

Abstract: A Rod Kicker: is disclosed for applying downhaul to a boom of a sailing rig. The rod kicker consists of two telescopically engaged elongate struts (4, 5). One end of one strut is secured to a mast (2) below the boom (3) and the remote end of the other strut (5) to the underside of the boom (3). A pulley system acts between the struts to enable the strut (5) to be retracted into the strut (4). A pawl and rack assembly locks the struts together to prevent the boom dropping when no lift is applied by the sail. Operation of the pulley system unlocks the pawl and rack to allow retraction.

Abstract: A vang assembly is provided for manipulating a sailboat boom. The vang assembly includes a mechanical vang in the form of a resiliently flexible elongate column provided with an adjustment means in the form of a soft vang for arcuately flexing the mechanical vang. Opposite ends of the mechanical vang are attached below the boom to a lower portion of the mast and to the boom at a location spaced outwardly and upwardly from the lower portion of the mast. The adjustment means is attached to opposite ends of the mechanical vang and is movable between a contracted position and an extended position. When the adjustment means is moved to a contracted position, the mechanical vang is bowed arcuately upwardly and the boom is urged in a downward direction. When the adjustment means is moved to extended position, the arcuately bowed mechanical vang straightens and pushes the boom upwardly.

Abstract: An improved windsurfer apparatus includes a boom-mast connector having a collar portion which has a concave inner surface for receiving the mast of the windsurfer, an arch portion which is adapted for grasping by an operator, and a pair of projections having boom receiving sockets defined therein. The connector is of unitary construction, which makes it simple to use and inexpensive to manufacture. The inner surface of the collar portion is shaped so as to contact a mast at two separate contact areas, in a wedge-type fashion. The inner surface is further shaped so as to include upper and lower outwardly tapered contact surfaces, which permit limited pivotal movement between the connector and the mast, and facilitate a better grip between those two elements.

Abstract: A multi-level boom adapted for use on a sailing device such as a sailboard. The boom comprises a lower portion in a wishbone type shape having a forward end adapted to be secured to a mast and an aft end adapted for securing the clew of a sail to the boom. The boom further includes at least one elongated tubular member pivotally and slidably secured at one end to the wishbone near the midpoint of one side of the boom and having a clamp at the other end for releasably securing the elongated tubular member to a mast.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises two fixtures and a length of line. A primary fixture fits against the mast and interconnects the two spars of the wishbone boom. The second fixture turns relative to the first fixture. The line is attached at one end to the second fixture, threaded through both fixtures and around the mast in a way which attaches the first fixture to the mast and enables increasing the tension in the line to effect a firm attachment. The tension is increased by turning the second fixture, twisting portions of the line to increase the tension and then locking the second fixture to the first to maintain the tension. The twisting of the line provides the user with a mechanical advantage in tightening the line. The locking is done with a pin mounted in the second fixture engaging holes in the first.

Abstract: A resiliently flexible wishbone boom comprised of a pair of boom sections attached to the pivotal mast of a sailboard. A sail located between the boom sections is attached by its leading edge to the mast and at one location along its trailing edge to the outer end of the boom. The boom has flexible forward portions which enable the boom sections to be drawn closer together, thereby making the boom longer and applying increased outhaul tension on the sail which changes its overall curvature and aerodynamic efficiency.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rig for a windsurfing board in which the clew (8) of the sail (2) prior to tensioning and trimming of the sail (2) is fixed in location in a stern fitting (10) of the wishbone boom (3). The stationary fixing can either be done preprogrammed with the aid of a scale, whereupon the wishbone boom (3) is fixed to the mast in that it is pushed downwardly from above and engaged, or a fixed point is established which holds the clew (8). In this embodiment the trimming of the said (2) is made in the bow fitting (11) in that the connection (15) between the mast (1) and wishbone boom (3) is constructed in such a manner that the mast (1) is displaceable longitudinally to and fro with respect to the wishbone boom (3) and lockable.

Abstract: A device for securing a forked boom to a mast and includes clamping elements, which engage the mast and are provided on a retaining member which at least partly surrounds the mast. The retaining member is annular and is larger in diameter than the mast. At least one wedge-shaped clamping element is slidably mounted in the annular space between the retaining member and the mast.

Abstract: Arrangement for a boat (1) which has a boom projecting out from a mast (2) and designed to be connected to a sail, especially on a sailing boat (1). The invention enables the boom to be prevented effectively and reliably from swinging around the mast too rapidly on occasions when this is not desired, and thus reduces the risk of personally injury occasioned by the boom. The arrangement (5) is connected via one section (5A) to the boat (1) and is connected via a further section (5B) to the boom (3), the two said sections (5A and 5B respectively) being mutually connected in such a way that the arrangement (5) forcibly urges the boom (3) to swing towards a position substantially transverse to the boat (1).

Abstract: A hand maneuverable sailing rig includes a sail construction having a mast, a sail attached thereto and a bowed, wishbone boom encircling the mast and sail. The wishbone boom is attached to the mast and sail by stays and tie lines. The mast is pivotably supported on mast support means and the resulting sail construction is a highly maneuverable, wind-propelled device suitable for use with roller or ice skates, skateboards or sailboards.

Abstract: This invention is a removable and buoyant sail cradle for use on small sailboats having detachable masts and booms such as the commercially available AMF All-Court Sunfish such that the sail cradle has a stem having a hollow first end which inserts within the mast hole of a sailboat after the mast has been removed where the first end has an upper and lower portion such that the lower portion is watertightly sealed by an inserted cap and the upper portion is sealed by a second end of the sail cradle where the second end extends above the deck and has a cradle portion has a C-type ring having the open portion facing away from the stem and upward for captivating receipt of the detached mast, boom and furled sail above the deck of a sailboat while in transit. The device also doubles in utility as a sealed flotation device in the event that the boat is capsized while in use.

Abstract: A boom assembly is pivotally attached to the mast of a sailboard for pivotal movement between a use position and a storage position. The boom assembly includes a boom bracket and a pair of booms which are connected to the boom bracket. An elastic connecting member is attached to the bracket and is pivotally connected to the mast. The bracket includes a pair of camming surfaces which are engageable with the mast as the bracket moves from the storage position to the use position, and the camming surfaces tension the elastic connecting member to provide a frictional retention force between the camming surfaces and the mast which tends to retain the bracket in the use position.

Abstract: A kicking strap for sailing-boats comprises a tackle with two multifold blocks (8, 9) connected and supported by means of two telescopic pipes (15, 16). The pipes are connected by a spring counteracting their joining, e.g. a pneumatic spring (21) secured both to one block (8) and the inner pipe (15), its piston being rigidly connected to the outer pipe (16) through a pin (31) extending through the head of the piston (22). The outer pipe is welded to the second block (9). The pin (31) is guided in an extension of the inner pipe (15). At for instance booming, the kicking strap located between the mast-foot and the boom exerts by means of the spring an upward pressure on the boom so that the boom in the central position during the booming is still raised and may thereby safely pass above the crew.

Abstract: A spar-end boom fitting, comprising a first and a second boom receiving member each having a boom receiving bore therein and each being joined by a connecting member with the connecting member forming with the boom receiving members a spar-receiving indentation and having a first and a second lashing line passage therethrough, and a jam cleat formed radially along the outer circumference of one of the boom receiving members, including a groove, having a pair of opposed rows of teeth. In addition it is disclosed that the boom receiving members have a plurality of parallel radially outward extending ribs and an interconnecting longitudinally outward extending spine and the groove is formed between a pair of the ribs. Further the disclosure includes the spar receiving indentation being covered with a resilient foam material which will conform to the shape of the spar. Still further, the disclosure includes an up-haul line locking mechanism formed in the connecting member.

Abstract: A mast of simplified and standardized constructional design consists of a tubular section and ancillary components such as a masthead or boom support plates which are welded to the tubular section, the masthead being constituted by a casing and head-piece. The casing is provided with an incorporated anchoring member for the standing rigging, and with slots for receiving the axle-pins of sheaves and rollers. The casign head-piece has a central cheek for locking the sheave pins in position.